From No Degree to PhD: Fortune Future 50 CEOs Redefine Business Education

There is a constant desire to find the companies of tomorrow.

For the last seven years, Fortune has highlighted the companies that despite increasing competition and global volatility, are set down a path for long-term growth. The Future 50 list focuses on those likely to adapt, thrive, and grow—and serves in part as a guide for those seeking partners and role models.

But for those looking to one day lead a company that may be the next big thing, the educational background of the Future 50 CEOs may surprise you. 

No, they did not all attend an Ivy League institution or go to business school and get an MBA. The Fortune Future 50 leaders are computer scientists, physicists, and lawyers. They attended state flagship technology institutes in the U.S. and around the globe. Some didn’t even graduate college at all.

Traditional paths to leadership are evolving, especially in tech-driven industries, says Debanjan Saha (Ph.D. ’95, computer science), CEO of DataRobot, an AI application company that debuted at No. 24 on the Future 50 list.

“Degrees aren’t always necessary nor a requirement to lead a company, but a strong technical background is incredibly beneficial in running a technology-focused organization,” he says.

Saha is one of the unique stories, having first attended the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur and then later obtained a PhD in computer science from the University of Maryland.

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